The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 regulates the stability of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor mRNA in activated eosinophils.

The infiltration, accumulation and degranulation of eosinophils in the lung represents a hallmark of active asthma. In vivo or in vitro eosinophil activation triggers the secretion of the antiapoptotic cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). We now identify Pin1, a cis-trans isomerase, as an essential component of the ribonucleoprotein complex responsible for GM-CSF mRNA stabilization, cytokine secretion and the survival of activated eosinophils. Pin1 regulated the association of the AU-rich element-binding proteins AUF1 and hnRNP C with GM-CSF mRNA, accelerating or slowing decay, respectively. These data indicate Pin1 is a key mediator of GM-CSF production.